Michelle Cusolito has had a connection with the Philippines since visiting the country as a high school exchange student. So when she saw the effects of Typhoon Haiyan, which pummeled the islands in early November, the Rochester resident and mother of two wanted to help.

“Watching the images of what happened there is almost more than I can bear,” she said.

A “pre-published” children’s book writer, Cusolito decided to call on other people in the children’s literature world to donate books, artwork and services that could be auctioned off in exchange for donations to support typhoon victims.

Calling the campaign KidLit for the Philippines, Cusolito also reached out to two other “kidlit” bloggers who held online auctions following the Japanese tsunami and Hurricane Sandy.

“It came together very quickly,” said Cusolito. “The response has been great.”

Since Nov. 18, members of the children’s literature community have offered more than 15 items, including an illustration from Russ Cox, a Skype visit from published children’s author Leslie Bulion and a website consultation by author and web designer Greg R. Fishbone.

“There’s something for everyone,” said Cusolito.

Cusolito has added several new items on her blog each day since Nov. 25 and plans to close the final auction by Dec. 7.  Each item is up for auction for one week and bids are made through the comment section.

Cusolito said she isn’t handling any of the items or the money herself. The winning bidder must make a donation to the nonprofit Mercy Corps or UNICEF. After emailing a copy of the receipt to Cusolito, she will match up the auction winner with the person who donated the item.

“We have all these awesome donations, but we need bidders,” she said. “It’s been slow to start, but I feel like as things get going, people will start to pay more attention.”

Cusolito is working to drive traffic to the auction through a Facebook page and Twitter.

“I would be super excited if I hit $10,000, but that’s a pretty big goal,” said Cusolito.

In addition to donations, Cusolito said KidLit for the Philippines has helped her reconnect with old friends who saw the auction on her personal Facebook page.

“They’re so glad I’m doing this,” said Cusolito. “It’s nice to know that my friends appreciate it, too.”

To see auction items, visit Michelle Cusolito's blog at michellecusolito.blogspot.com.